Today In History
5 Fun Facts About October 20 In Iowa History
1) In 1894, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in favor of a woman's right to vote in school board elections, making Iowa one of the first states to grant women this right. 2) On October 20, 1939, the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines was officially dedicated after three...
5 Fun Facts About October 19 In Iowa History
1. On October 19, 1854, the University of Iowa was established in Iowa City. It began with just 10 faculty members and 124 students, but has since grown to become a major research institution with over 30,000 students. 2. The Iowa State Fairgrounds, located in Des Moines, were dedicated on...
5 Fun Facts About October 18 In Iowa History
1. On October 18, 1859, the first public library in Iowa was established in Dubuque. The library was called the Dubuque Athenaeum and Reading Room Association and it was started by a group of citizens who were interested in promoting literacy and culture in the community. 2. In 1867, on...
5 Fun Facts About October 16 In Iowa History
1. In 1854, the first railroad line in Iowa officially opened, stretching from Davenport to Iowa City. This marked a significant milestone in the state's transportation infrastructure and helped spur economic growth. 2. On October 16, 1869, the Iowa State Agricultural Society held its annual fair in Des Moines. The...
5 Fun Facts About October 15 In Iowa History
Here are 5 interesting facts about October 15 in Iowa history: 1. In 1926, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the construction of the largest engineering project in Iowa's history, the Saylorville Dam. The dam was built to control flooding and generate hydroelectric power on the Des Moines River. 2....
5 Fun Facts About October 14 In Iowa History
1. In 1890, the first Corn Palace was opened in Sioux City, Iowa. This unique building was constructed entirely of corn and used to promote the local agricultural industry. 2. On October 14, 1960, John F. Kennedy campaigned in Des Moines, Iowa, on his way to winning the presidency. His...
5 Fun Facts About October 13 In Iowa History
1. On October 13, 1844, President James K. Polk visited Davenport, Iowa, as part of his re-election campaign tour. This was the first visit by a sitting president to Iowa. 2. One of Iowa's deadliest tornadoes occurred on October 13, 1964, in the town of Belmond. The tornado was rated...
5 Fun Facts About October 12 In Iowa History
1. In 1918, the deadliest influenza pandemic of all time arrived in Iowa. This was known as the Spanish Flu and led to the deaths of approximately 6,000 Iowans. 2. In 1916, a fire broke out at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison, Iowa. The fire destroyed much of...
5 Fun Facts About October 11 In Iowa History
1. In 1927, the iconic Iowa State Fairgrounds Grandstand was destroyed by fire on October 11th. The original grandstand was made entirely of wood and had been in use since 1909. The fire caused $1.5 million in damages (equivalent to over $21 million today) and prompted the construction of a...
5 Fun Facts About October 10 In Iowa History
1) On October 10, 1854, the Iowa State Agricultural Society was founded. The society aimed to promote and improve agriculture in the state through education and experimentation. 2) In 1927, a deadly tornado struck the town of Promise City, Iowa on October 10, killing 17 people and causing extensive damage....
5 Fun Facts About October 9 In Iowa History
1. B.G. Engstrom broke the world motorcycle speed record in 1920: On October 9, 1920, Iowa native B.G. Engstrom set a new world motorcycle speed record by racing his motorcycle at a speed of 120 miles per hour at the State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. This was an impressive feat...
5 Fun Facts About October 8 In Iowa History
Below are five interesting facts about October 8 in Iowa history: 1. On October 8, 1862, the Battle of Perryville took place during the American Civil War. Iowa soldiers were among the Union troops who fought against Confederate forces in what is considered one of the deadliest battles in Kentucky....